Portland council approves Willamette bridge, MAX alignment

As expected, the Portland City Council on Thursday unanimously got behind a $1.4 billion plan to build a new bridge and light rail line over the Willamette River.

When completed in 2015, the bridge will carry MAX trains, street cars, buses, bikes and pedestrians between South Waterfront on the west bank and OMSI on the east. The new MAX line will run from PSU to OMSI, then turn south and terminate in Milwaukie.

Ten new stations are planned, including eight in Portland, capturing as many as 26,000 eastside riders by 2030. A station near Reed College is on the books but will likely be built later.

Metro, the lead agency on the project, will get most of the money -- all but $200 million -- from federal grants, the Oregon Lottery, TriMet and other programs. Portland and Milwaukie will have to contribute as well.

Metro Councilor Robert Liberty testified in favor of the project. He chaired the Metro's steering committee and said residents served by the planned MAX line have been anxiously awaiting its construction. In fact, he said. 14,000 current bus riders will have a shorter trip across the river once the line is added.

"At a time with gas prices as high as they are, with concerns about our planet's future, this new line will save about 70,000 travel miles a day," he said.

Fred Hansen, TriMet general manager said the project is a opportunity for the city to design a "signature bridge," it's first servicing only alternative modes of transportation. Cars and trucks will not be allowed to use the bridge, but the pedestrian and bike lanes will be at least 12 feet wide, he said.

There are still a few tasks ahead: design and engineering, financing, specific track alignment and station location and design, to name a few.

The Milwaukie City Council approved the plan Tuesday night. The Metro Council will have the final say on the alignment on July 24. 